“Most holy Theotokos save us.
With many temptations surrounding me, searching for salvation, I have sought refuge in you; O Mother of the Word, and ever virgin, from all distresses and dangers deliver me.”
Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
I welcome you to the Month of August. September is no longer the month for back-to-school, so we should all be settling in for a nice fall and making our preparations for everything a new school year brings.
How sad is that?!?
I’m very much old school in that I believe that August is the time to start shopping for new school clothes, not finish shopping for them. We used to start school with leaves beginning to fall, not soaring, 100 degree temperatures. To me, August is meant for one purpose – at least the first half of it – it contains the season of the Theotokos and the commemoration of her Dormition.
The Fast has begun and we are now a few days into it, so I pray that you have used the time productively and are receiving the spiritual benefits greatly afforded by this season. Of course, the other way of truly appreciating this season, and finding solace in the embrace of the Theotokos, is participating in the Paraklesis Services which are chanted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the first two weeks of August.
This past Wednesday evening, we held our first service of the year. And I must say, that it was the most inspirational and moving Paraklesis that I have ever attended. Yes, I wrote that…ever.
Our St. Anna’s chanting group has been practicing for weeks in preparation for these services. They have dedicated hours to rehearsals and prayer. With angelic vibrancy, they melodically, and with dignity, lifted up their voices in supplication to the Mother of God. It was lovely in every way.
Well, here is a way that, in fact, it wasn’t so lovely – there were almost as many chanters as there were participants. I realize that these final days of summer are filled with more and more activities, especially realizing that an entire month of summer has pretty much been wiped away. But, I need to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of the Theotokos in our lives.
She is our greatest intercessor. She understands pain, sorrow and loss as much as any human being that has ever existed. She gave birth to a Son, Who was destined for glory and appreciation, but only received buffetings, spite, jealousy, anger, violence and death. And she, as a mother, was there to witness every horrific detail. Did she grow angry? Was she jaded? Did the challenges of life cause her to become callous and aloof? No. NO!
This is how she hears our prayers, understands our sorrows, embraces our challenges, sympathizes with our sadness and agonizes over the weight of our sin. And when we come together and pray the supplicatory cannon, that is the Paraklesis Service, we offer to her our prayers, knowing that she will deliver them to Him, Who answers prayers and offers His great mercy. She hears the suffering of her children, and delivers those messages of need to her Son.
Please keep in mind, some special and unique opportunities to avail yourselves this unique opportunity of prayer, comfort, joy and wellness:
When coming to the Paraklesis (literally, meaning “Comfort”), please bring a written list of people of whom you wish to be lifted up in prayer. If you don’t bring a list of people with you, please prepare it when you arrive at the church. I have appropriate sheets available for you as you enter the sanctuary.
Also, please be reminded that the Paraklesis Service on Monday, August 7th will take place at 10:00 am, not in the evening. And again, I remind you, that following the Paraklesis Service on the 7th, will be a special and informative Luncheon on the progress of our Capital Campaign and an opportunity to share ideas that you may have concerning our eventual purchase of land for our church. Please RSVP to Barbara Hillas at 801-604-4884. Personalized packets will be prepared for all participants, so we would very much like to plan for your attendance.
Even if every detail of every aspect of your life is washed over with complete bliss, and you don’t seem to have a care or concern in your life, I would still invite you to come to the Paraklesis Service and engage in a more significant relationship with the Theotokos and her Son and our God. I would also invite you to come to them repeatedly. Once is nice. All of them is nicer!
I hope to see you at services, beginning this Friday evening. Let us allow the Mother of God to guide us into the Kingdom through her prayers, intercessions and love. Participating in the Service of Paraklesis is our opportunity to return her favors and show her our love. Yes, that was guilt. Come to church!
Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony
REMEMBER TO REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. IT STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY!
REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR A DINNER OR LUNCHEON EVENT TO DISCUSS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
WE NEED YOU! YOU (EVENTUALLY) NEED A CHURCH BUILDING!